Multiple first aid storage device



3,085,844 lX/ULTHYLE FHRST All) STORAGE DEVICE Louis l. Mancini, 129 Braidburn Road, Florham Park, NJ. Filed Feb. 14, 1961, Ser. No. 89,270 8 Claims. (Cl. S12- 278) This invention relates to devices of a modified crossshaped contour for storage of a multiplitcy of first aid materials and equipment in a manner to render the same quickly accessible for immediate use while, at the same time, insuring protection to the stored first aid material when not in use.

More particularly, the invention deals with a device employing a central vertically long section, within which is disposed a cross-shaped rim, dividing the central portion of said vertical section into a series of three upper and three lower drawer controlled compartments substantially of the same dimensions, separated by one long drawer section.

Further, the invention deals with a device of the character described having what may be termed side wing sections extending from the central portion of the long vertical section, in which are compartments for reception of drawers and containers, said wing sections, in combination with the vertical central section, giving to the device a modified cross-shaped peripheral contour.

Still more particularly, the invention deals with a device of the character described, wherein the front peripheral portions of the entire device include a cross-shaped closure rim, including an outer transparent facing sheet forming a closure for the front of the entire device.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front diagrammatic View of a device made according to my invention, with parts of the construction broken away and in section.

FIG. 2 is a central vertical section on the line 2 2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial section on the line 3 3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial section on the line 4 4 of FIG. l; and

FIG. 5 is a partial section on the line 5 5 of FIG. 1.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of the structure disclosed in my application Serial Number 830,488, filed July 30, 1959, now Patent No. 2,999,583.

My improved device comprises a casing, generally in the form of a modified cross, in other words, comprising a vertically long central section and two laterally extending wing sections 11 and 12. The central section 10 has primary top and bottom walls 13 and 14. Extending ybeyond the walls 13 and 14 are projecting frame portions 15 and 16, respectively, which consist simply in side and back members. These frame portions are substantially L-shaped in cross-sectional form and form compartments 17 and ,18, the compartment 17 being adapted to receive a first aid instruction booklet; whereas, the lower compartment 18 is adapted to support a two-part hinged board or panel, as diagrammatically illustrated at 19, which may have on a surface thereof first aid instructions quickly visible to the user of the device. 19, when removed and extended, will form a table-like platform.

The central section 10 includes side walls 20 and 21 integral with the top and bottom walls 13 and 14 and these walls are joined by four horizontal partition walls 22, 23, 24 and 25, the latter being clearly indicated in 3,085,844 Patented Apr. 16, 1963 FIG. 2 of the drawing. The walls 22 and 25 define the top and :bottom walls of a central portion of section 10.

Extending integrally from the walls 20` and 21 are top and bottom walls of the winged extensions which are in alinement with the walls 22 and 25 and these extended walls will be identified by the reference characters 22' and 25. The walls 22 and 2S are integrally joined by outer side walls 26 on the winged extensions. Extending between the walls 20, 26; 21, 26 and in alinement with the partition wall 24 are other partition walls 27. These latter partition lWalls divide the wing sections into upper compartments 28, 29 and lower compartments 30, 31. Movable in the lower compartments are drawers 32, 33 and in the lower portions of the upper compartments 28 and 29 are drawers 34 and 3S.

Turning now to the vertical central section arranged in the forward portion only of this section between the walls 22, 25, 20 and 21 is a cross-shaped rim 36 which fits snugly upon and can be secured to inner surfaces of the :walls mentioned; whereas, the portions 36' of the rim 36 will bear directly upon recessed forward portions of the walls 23 and 24, as indicated at 37 in FlG. 3 of the drawing. This last structural featune will check inward movement of the rim in fixedly positioning the same within the central section 10'. At this time, it is also pointed out that, for decorative purposes, the outer edges of the rim exposed at the front of the device will preferably be colored red, but no attempt will be made to indicate this in the present drawing.

The rim 36, in combination with the walls 22, 23, 24 and 25, divide the central portion of the section `10 into an upper series of three compartments, in which drawers 38, 39 and 4d are arranged and a corresponding number of three lower compartments, in which drawers 41, 42 and 43 are arranged, the drawers 38 to 43 being all generally of the same size and modified slightly in construction. These two series of compartments are divided by a longitudinally long intermediate compartment, in which a large drawer 44 is arranged.

Between the walls 13 and 22 and the walls 14 and 25 are two large elongated compartments, in which upper and lower drawers 45 and 46 are arranged.

As all of the drawers are generally of the same construction, in other words, comprise a front wall, a bottom wall and a back wall, the brief description of three of these drawers only will be given, for example, the drawer 44, Shown in section in FIG. 2, the drawer having a front wall 47, a bottom wall 48 and a back wall 49'. On the front wall is a fingerpiece pull Sti', upper and lower edges of which are undercut, as indicated at 51, to facilitate grasping of the drawer. These handles are applied singly to the smaller drawers, but the drawer 44, as well as the drawers 45 and `46, include two -of these fingerpiece handles.

At this time, it is also pointed out that the fiat outer surfaces of the handles facilitate application of identifying data printed or otherwise applied thereto identifying the products contained in the respective drawers.

In FIG. 4 of the drawing is shown a section primarily through the drawer 34. As this drawer is different from the structure of most of the other drawers, the front wall of this drawer is identified by the reference character 52, the bottom wall is shown at 53, the back wall at 54 and between the back wall 54 and the front wall S2 are a pair of upstanding partition walls 55 and 56 for reception of a vertical Short front container 57, note FG. 1, and a longer rear container 58. Between 52 and 5S the drawer has a compartment 59 for the reception of suitable medicinal or surgical equipment used in the device. The drawer 34 includes the fingerpiece handle 50', similar in all respects to the handle 56u At this time, it is pointed out that the size of the handles is standardized throughout, `so as to simplify the cost of producing the resulting device.

Turning now to the section in FIG. of the drawing, here is a further modified form of drawer 35 comprising a front wall 60, bottom wall 6i, back wall 67. and an upstanding partition wall 63. Between 62 and 63 is a compartment for reception of another tall container 64, note FIG. 1 of the drawing. The drawer 35 forms a larger compartment 65 between the walls 6i), 63, again, for the storage of other first aid accessories. With this structure on the drawers 34 and 35, the containers 57, 58 and 64 can be moved forwardly for accessibility.

Returning to the central portion of the section 1d in which the rim 36 is arranged, it will be apparent that drawer spacer strips will be secured to the wall 23 for guidance of the drawers 38, 39 and ttl in their movement back and forth in the device, one of these strips being indicated in section at 66 in FIG. l of the drawing. Similar strips will be secured to the upper surface of the wall 25 and these are indicated in dotted lines at 67 in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

Arranged upon the front edge portion of the peripheral walls of the device, including the frame extensions and 16, is a cover 63 comprising a ange 69 generally T- shaped in cross-sectional form, in other words, comprising a front facing plate 70 arranged upon and overlying the forward edges of the boundary walls of the device, including the forward edges of 15 and 16, as will appear from a consideration of FIG. 2 of the drawing, and the rearwardly extended portion 71 which snugly overlies outer surfaces of the boundary walls.

The inner end of 71 is preferably rounded, as seen at 72 in FIG. 2 of the drawing, to facilitate mounting on the boundary walls of the device. The outer projection of 70 forms a lip facilitating engagement by the ngers of the hand in removal of the cover 68 from the device. Suitably secured to the outer surface of '70 is a transparent closure sheet or panel of suitable plastic material 73, which will close all of the drawers and other compartments of the devices while, at the same time, leaving the various drawers and compartments visible through the front of the device and, from this standpoint, full line illustrations of the device and the drawers and the like are illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawing. Part of 73 is broken away at the lower righthand corner of FIG. 1 to clearly indicate the transparent closure 73.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the cover 68 can be quickly and easily removed and re-attached to the device whenever desired and, in removal of the cover, all of the several drawers of the device become accessible for opening in removal of the contents therefrom for use in administering first aid.

In the several drawers of the device will be arranged numerous types of first aid equipment or accessories, such as sterilized bandage, cotton, adhesive tape, Band Aids, sterilized gauge pads, including various standard types of remedies for treatments of wounds, burns and in rendering first aid of any type and description. rfhe drawers can further store hardware, such as scissors, swab sticks and the like.

By virtue of a device of this type and kind, where each of the different items employed are separately and carefully stored, the rendering of first aid becomes a simple operation and can be quickly and easily administered. In preferred adaptations of construction of the device, the depth of the device will be such as to facilitate storage in a medicine cabinet, such as commonly arranged in the wall of a bathroom or the like and, by virtue of the contour of the device, it will be apparent that the side winged extensions 11 and 12 facilitate grasping of the device by hand in removal from such a cabinet or in replacing the same in the cabinet. From this standpoint, the winged extensions may be regarded as side device gripper portions. In order to maintain the device upright at all times while stored in a cabinet or placed upon a supporting surface, foot strips 74, note FIG. 2, are secured to the lower portion of 16 in alinement with the rear wall of the cabinet and also inwardly of the portions 71 of the cover 65 at the lower portion of the central section 1f), It will appear, from a consideration of FIG. 2 of the drawing, that all of the boundary and partition walls of the device are integral with the back wall 75, note FIG. 2, showing the juncture of the walls 13, 14 and 22 to '25, inclusive, with the back wall 75. In other words, the framework of the device can be preferably formed as a molded plastic unit; whereas, the drawers, cross-rim, cover and other accessory portions are independently formed and it is preferred that plastic is used throughout in order to maintain the sanitary appearance, a white plastic being preferably used. However, the flange portion 69 of the cover 63 will be preferably formed of a red plastic in order to border the entire front of the device with a modified form of a red cross and this cross will generally conform with the contour of the rim 56 which can simply have a red surface coating or could be composed of red plastic, similar to the flange 69.

in most instances, the bottom wall of the drawers terminates in alignment with and moves directly upon the surface of the horizontal partition. However, in order to maintain a neat and finished appearance, in some instances, as, for example, with the drawers 45 and 46, the front wall includes a downward extension 45', 46', note FIG. 2, overlying the forward edge of the walls 22 and 14, respectively. In like manner, the front wall of the drawer 39 includes a downward extension 39' overlying the forward edge of the wall 23. 1n other instances, the upper edge of the front wall overlies the horizontal partition or walls of the device and this is true with the drawers 32, 33, 42, 45 and 46 and will clearly appear from a consideration of FIG. 2 of the drawing. It will also be apparent that the front walls of all of the drawers are in alinement with the front edges of the body portion of the device proper so that the fingertip means, as, for example, at 56', will be disposed within the inner surface of the front panel 73. As a matter of fact, these fingergrip means or elements will form a series of backings for the panel 73 throughout the entire front area of the assembled device.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A first aid storage device of the character defined, said device comprising a main body portion consisting of a vertically long central section including integral lateral wing extensions, the body portion of the device comprising a back wall having a plurality of longitudinal and vertical partition walls, part of said partition walls dividing the central section into two sets of three drawer compartments spaced by an intermediate long drawer compartment in defining a central portion of said central section, two of said longitudinal partition walls defining top and bottom walls of said central portion, said wing extensions having top and bottom walls in alinement with the top and bottom walls of said central portion, other long drawer compartments above and below said central portion, said wing extensions each having two drawer compartments, a cover detachable with the front of the device and forming a closure for all of the compartments of the device, said cover comprising a liange bordering the entire periphery of the device, and a transparent front panel secured to said tiange.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the flange of said cover is T-shaped in cross-sectional form and overlies the outer periphery of the walls of the device and the forward edge of the peripheral walls of the device, and said ange having an outwardly extending fingergrip portion facilitating removal of the cover from the device.

3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein a crossshaped rim is mounted in the central portion of the central section, said rim bordering portions of the two three sets of drawer compartments, and portions of the long drawer compartment spacing said two sets of three drawer compartments.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein the rim ahuts part of the longitudinal partition walls of the central portion in checking inward movement of said rim in assemblage in the central portion, `and said rim forming a backing for the front panel of said cover.

5. A device as defined in claim l, wherein drawers are arranged in all of the drawer compartments, each drawer comprising front, bottom and back walls, and the front wall of each drawer including a iingergrip portion.

6. A device as dened in claim 5, wherein special drawers include between the front and back walls thereof vertical partitions, dividing such drawers into independent storage compartments.

7. A device as delined in claim l, wherein the upper and lower portions of the central vertical section include protruding frames bordering side and back walls of the device, and said frames being L-shaped in cross-sectional form and forming ladditional storage compartments beyond the upper and lower walls of said central section.

8. A rst aid storage device of the character defined, said device lcomprising a main body portion consisting of a vertically long central section including integral lateral wing extensions, the body portion of the device comprising `a back wall having a plurality 4of longitudinal and vertical partition walls, part of said partition walls dividing the central section into two sets of three drawer compartments spaced by an intermediate long drawer compartment in defining a central portion of said central section, two of said longitudinal partition walls defining top and bottom walls of said central portion, said wing extensions having top and bottom walls in alinement with the top and bottom Walls of said central portion, other long drawer compartments above and below said central portion, said wing extensions each having two drawer compartments, said central portion including a crossshaped element bordering portions of drawers arranged in compartments of said central section, and said element being in the form of a rim abutting part of the longitudinal partition walls of said central portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,315,158 Markham Mar. 30, 1943 2,357,555 Seaton Sept. 5, 1944 2,396,393 Seaton Mar. l2, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,085,311 France July 2l, 1954 578,684 Italy June 30, 1958 

1. A FIRST AID STORAGE DEVICE OF THE CHARACTER DEFINED, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A MAIN BODY PORTION CONSISTING OF A VERTICALLY LONG CENTRAL SECTION INCLUDING INTEGRAL LATERAL WING EXTENSIONS, THE BODY PORTION OF THE DEVICE COMPRISING A BACK WALL HAVING A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINAL AND VERTICAL PARTITION WALLS, PART OF SAID PARTITION WALLS DIVIDING THE CENTRAL SECTION INTO TWO SETS OF THREE DRAWER COMPARTMENTS SPACED BY AN INTERMEDIATE LONG DRAWER COMPARTMENT IN DEFINING A CENTRAL PORTION OF SAID CENTRAL SECTION, TWO OF SAID LONGITUDINAL PARTITION WALLS DEFINING TOP AND BOTTOM WALLS OF SAID CENTRAL PORTION, SAID WING EXTENSIONS HAVING TOP AND BOTTOM WALLS IN ALINEMENT WITH THE TOP AND BOTTOM WALLS OF SAID CENTRAL PORTION, OTHER LONG DRAWER COMPARTMENTS ABOVE AND BELOW SAID CENTRAL PORTION, SAID WING EXTENSIONS EACH HAVING TWO DRAWER COMPARTMENTS, A COVER DETACHABLE WITH THE FRONT OF THE DEVICE AND FORMING A CLOSURE FOR ALL OF THE COMPARTMENTS OF THE DEVICE, SAID COVER COMPRISING A FLANGE BORDERING THE ENTIRE PERIPHERY OF THE DEVICE, AND A TRANSPARENT FRONT PANEL SECURED TO SAID FLANGE. 